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| MercyMe |
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1. Coming Up To Breathe [Listen]
2. So Long Self
3. Hold Fast
4. Something About You
5. You're To Blame
6. No More No Less
7. Where I Belong
8. Bring The Rain
2. So Long Self
3. Hold Fast
4. Something About You
5. You're To Blame
6. No More No Less
7. Where I Belong
8. Bring The Rain
Coming Up To Breathe
[Release Date: April 25, 2006] (INO Records)
Track Listing:
Track Listing:
9. Last One Standing
10.One Trick Pony
11.3:42 AM (Writers' Block)
12. Safe And Sound [Listen]
13. I Would Die For You
10.One Trick Pony
11.3:42 AM (Writers' Block)
12. Safe And Sound [Listen]
13. I Would Die For You
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4.0 out of 4
3.0 out of 3
2.0 out of 2
1.0 out of 1
10.0 out of 10
Message
Music
Production
Creativity
Overall Score
| 100% A+ |
It’s been two years since MercyMe released their last studio album ‘Undone’, and with
the release of ‘Coming Up To Breathe’, it marks a new day in the ministry of the group.
Locking themselves up in the famed Allaire Studios in Shokan, NY (Upstate New York)
for weeks to record this new album really helped them in the recording process. From
previous press-releases that we had read on the release of this album, the group was able
to write and record how they wanted and what they wanted this time around. I was
surprised at the diverse styles of music on this album. It sounds a little different then
MercyMe’s previous releases but still had the ministering message that made the previous
efforts successful. Let’s take a look at the album, shall we?
The title track “Coming Up To Breathe” really looks at the lives we live after we’re
saved. How we strive to implement God’s word and will in our lives everyday. But
somehow the devil brings us down and it’s the ‘air’ that God gives us is what we need.
But we have to come to surface and breathe! Another reference to the album itself was
that MercyMe frontman Bart Millard said that although they were proud of their previous
records, they were more free to write and record the album they had always wanted. It
allowed them to come up and breathe.
“So Long Self” reminds me and takes me back to a song on their album ‘Spoken For’
called “The Change Inside Of Me”. The message is same here, I like the line in the
chorus “Well it’s been fun, but I’ve found someone else, So long self”. Something else
that is noteworthy in this song, musically is the guitars. Unlike the previous releases,
you’ll notice a lot more lead guitars and solos. There is a solo towards the end of this
song. Another thing about the later part of this song is the pre-Cali Beach Boys sound.
Do I hear an influence of ‘Smile’ in there? Lol, that was for you Greg!
“Hold Fast” has a powerful reminder message. One of hope, one of perseverance. We
will soon be taken up by the Christ who saved us. But like a quote I’ve heard a lot,
“Patience is a virtue”. Remember, when Christ said He would be there for us, He didn’t
lie. Hold fast, help is on the way! “As long as life runs through my veins. I will live to
praise Your name. And if a hundred years I live. I won’t even scratch, I won’t even
scratch the surface”. This is the bridge of the next track “Something About You”. I like
that. It’s true. There’s so many things about God that we don’t know, and even in a
hundred years, we truthfully wouldn’t even scratch the surface of the love God has for
us. I like the first verse too. I often would ask myself this question when I wrote
songs. How could I describe the God of universe and make it rhyme? Great song.
Another example of the guitar solos I mentioned before as well. “You’re To Blame” kind
of threw me off with the title when I first saw it. But yes, it’s as it says. God is to
blame! For our happiness and our Salvation that is! It makes me feel good knowing that
the Lord cares enough for me even though He has so many others things He could be
doing. Rich Mullins said it perfect in his song, Our God is an awesome God! Amen!
“No More No Less” is another great message. Be the person God called you to be.
Even when it’s not popular to be yourself, be true to God. The Lord will bless you
indeed. Another good guitar solo! “Where I Belong” carries (to me atleast) the same
message as their hit “Homesick”. The chorus speaks volumes saying … “So I raise my
hands. And shout Your name. To praise You with my song. My dream’s at hand. I’ve
found my place. The place where I belong”. This world’s not our home, we’re only
passing through. We know where we belong. Until we get home, we just have to wait
and know that the Lord is watching out for us.
“Bring The Rain” is probably my favorite track on the album. What a powerful message
and a yet another reminder of God’s love. The end of the song is especially powerful.
The message found a lot scripture, but none that I can remember more then Isaiah 6:3.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (KJV) or in this case the Lord Almighty. Same
thing. This has the makings of a great worship song. I really hope this song makes it as
a single on the album. It has a meaningful message and will hopefully encourage those
listening to it. It’s funny that although most things of the future we cannot foresee, the
Bible has made a lot of future events clear. God has given us a glimpse of it. This is the
message of “Last One Standing”. We can clearly see that one day Christ will defeat
Satan for the last time and he will be cast in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). We know now
that we will be the last ones standing, with our King, Jesus Christ.
“One Trick Pony” was a huge jump from the previous song, but I love it! I’m used to
country music, because I live in the country and Southern Gospel is big in these parts. I
like the finger-sliding dobro guitars used in this one. I came up with this phrase that says
“It’s okay to have tunnel vision if Jesus is who you see”. Keeping your focus on Christ
in today’s time may draw criticism, but don’t back down. Stick to your beliefs. If God
says it, it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Period. “3:42 (Writers
Block)” is an entertaining song. It’s hard sometimes for us to realize that we need to just
sit back and let the Lord speak through us at times. Only after sitting down for three
hours to write a song did Bart realize that, you know, I should let God speak through
me. Let Him say what He wants to say. He’s right and your wrong, so no use in
fighting it! J In this case, it’s perfectly okay to give in and sell out! I often open prayers
up in this asking the Lord to speak through me if someone comes to me wanting to
know about Salvation and His Son, the One who died so that we could be saved. And
writers block to add isn’t fun. Sitting there trying so hard to think of what to write!
Man that’s a pain!
“Safe and Sound” is yet another reminder that the Lord protects us each and everyday.
A reference I found in the song comes from John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” We’
re safe and sound in the Lord, our rock, our refuge and our Salvation. It’s very fitting
that the album would end with a track like “I Would Die For You”. It has such a
powerful message. The end of the chorus says it all. “You never know why you’re
alive. Until you know what you would die for. I would die for you” Remember what
the Bible says in Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 & Luke 9:23. Take up your cross daily and
follow Him. He died for you and me, what else could we do? Another reference in
scripture I liked that could fit this is John 15:13. “Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Amen!
About 11 ½ minutes into the last track you will find a short hidden track, which may be
called “Have Fun In What You Do”. It’s actually an interesting song and sounds like
something you would hear back in the 40’s! And yes, it is Bart singing too! That’s the
best part! Another added bonus for those of you who bought your copy of this album,
Family Christian offers a version with an extra track called “The Rhythm” and Target
offers a version with the bonus song “Sing”. The version of the CD you pick up matters
not, for this is sure to be one of the great ministering albums of the year! God bless
MercyMe!
the release of ‘Coming Up To Breathe’, it marks a new day in the ministry of the group.
Locking themselves up in the famed Allaire Studios in Shokan, NY (Upstate New York)
for weeks to record this new album really helped them in the recording process. From
previous press-releases that we had read on the release of this album, the group was able
to write and record how they wanted and what they wanted this time around. I was
surprised at the diverse styles of music on this album. It sounds a little different then
MercyMe’s previous releases but still had the ministering message that made the previous
efforts successful. Let’s take a look at the album, shall we?
The title track “Coming Up To Breathe” really looks at the lives we live after we’re
saved. How we strive to implement God’s word and will in our lives everyday. But
somehow the devil brings us down and it’s the ‘air’ that God gives us is what we need.
But we have to come to surface and breathe! Another reference to the album itself was
that MercyMe frontman Bart Millard said that although they were proud of their previous
records, they were more free to write and record the album they had always wanted. It
allowed them to come up and breathe.
“So Long Self” reminds me and takes me back to a song on their album ‘Spoken For’
called “The Change Inside Of Me”. The message is same here, I like the line in the
chorus “Well it’s been fun, but I’ve found someone else, So long self”. Something else
that is noteworthy in this song, musically is the guitars. Unlike the previous releases,
you’ll notice a lot more lead guitars and solos. There is a solo towards the end of this
song. Another thing about the later part of this song is the pre-Cali Beach Boys sound.
Do I hear an influence of ‘Smile’ in there? Lol, that was for you Greg!
“Hold Fast” has a powerful reminder message. One of hope, one of perseverance. We
will soon be taken up by the Christ who saved us. But like a quote I’ve heard a lot,
“Patience is a virtue”. Remember, when Christ said He would be there for us, He didn’t
lie. Hold fast, help is on the way! “As long as life runs through my veins. I will live to
praise Your name. And if a hundred years I live. I won’t even scratch, I won’t even
scratch the surface”. This is the bridge of the next track “Something About You”. I like
that. It’s true. There’s so many things about God that we don’t know, and even in a
hundred years, we truthfully wouldn’t even scratch the surface of the love God has for
us. I like the first verse too. I often would ask myself this question when I wrote
songs. How could I describe the God of universe and make it rhyme? Great song.
Another example of the guitar solos I mentioned before as well. “You’re To Blame” kind
of threw me off with the title when I first saw it. But yes, it’s as it says. God is to
blame! For our happiness and our Salvation that is! It makes me feel good knowing that
the Lord cares enough for me even though He has so many others things He could be
doing. Rich Mullins said it perfect in his song, Our God is an awesome God! Amen!
“No More No Less” is another great message. Be the person God called you to be.
Even when it’s not popular to be yourself, be true to God. The Lord will bless you
indeed. Another good guitar solo! “Where I Belong” carries (to me atleast) the same
message as their hit “Homesick”. The chorus speaks volumes saying … “So I raise my
hands. And shout Your name. To praise You with my song. My dream’s at hand. I’ve
found my place. The place where I belong”. This world’s not our home, we’re only
passing through. We know where we belong. Until we get home, we just have to wait
and know that the Lord is watching out for us.
“Bring The Rain” is probably my favorite track on the album. What a powerful message
and a yet another reminder of God’s love. The end of the song is especially powerful.
The message found a lot scripture, but none that I can remember more then Isaiah 6:3.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” (KJV) or in this case the Lord Almighty. Same
thing. This has the makings of a great worship song. I really hope this song makes it as
a single on the album. It has a meaningful message and will hopefully encourage those
listening to it. It’s funny that although most things of the future we cannot foresee, the
Bible has made a lot of future events clear. God has given us a glimpse of it. This is the
message of “Last One Standing”. We can clearly see that one day Christ will defeat
Satan for the last time and he will be cast in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). We know now
that we will be the last ones standing, with our King, Jesus Christ.
“One Trick Pony” was a huge jump from the previous song, but I love it! I’m used to
country music, because I live in the country and Southern Gospel is big in these parts. I
like the finger-sliding dobro guitars used in this one. I came up with this phrase that says
“It’s okay to have tunnel vision if Jesus is who you see”. Keeping your focus on Christ
in today’s time may draw criticism, but don’t back down. Stick to your beliefs. If God
says it, it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Period. “3:42 (Writers
Block)” is an entertaining song. It’s hard sometimes for us to realize that we need to just
sit back and let the Lord speak through us at times. Only after sitting down for three
hours to write a song did Bart realize that, you know, I should let God speak through
me. Let Him say what He wants to say. He’s right and your wrong, so no use in
fighting it! J In this case, it’s perfectly okay to give in and sell out! I often open prayers
up in this asking the Lord to speak through me if someone comes to me wanting to
know about Salvation and His Son, the One who died so that we could be saved. And
writers block to add isn’t fun. Sitting there trying so hard to think of what to write!
Man that’s a pain!
“Safe and Sound” is yet another reminder that the Lord protects us each and everyday.
A reference I found in the song comes from John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” We’
re safe and sound in the Lord, our rock, our refuge and our Salvation. It’s very fitting
that the album would end with a track like “I Would Die For You”. It has such a
powerful message. The end of the chorus says it all. “You never know why you’re
alive. Until you know what you would die for. I would die for you” Remember what
the Bible says in Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34 & Luke 9:23. Take up your cross daily and
follow Him. He died for you and me, what else could we do? Another reference in
scripture I liked that could fit this is John 15:13. “Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Amen!
About 11 ½ minutes into the last track you will find a short hidden track, which may be
called “Have Fun In What You Do”. It’s actually an interesting song and sounds like
something you would hear back in the 40’s! And yes, it is Bart singing too! That’s the
best part! Another added bonus for those of you who bought your copy of this album,
Family Christian offers a version with an extra track called “The Rhythm” and Target
offers a version with the bonus song “Sing”. The version of the CD you pick up matters
not, for this is sure to be one of the great ministering albums of the year! God bless
MercyMe!
Review Written By: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] Date Written: April 21, 2006
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